The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-18
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
A shake OF the Bloody shirt.

TO tho Editor of the indianapolis Journal:
In the Journals extracts from q recent letter
of the Southern leader, that worthy refers to
Christian knighthood' and the rules OF
civilized warfare in . way to give one q
turn who recalls something of the chief rebels
chivalric bearing throughout the rebellion. In
referring to his release from prison. Dir. Davis
presents himself in another, and, il possible.
more despicable light than in the past Arrogant
and remorseless in the exercise of power, he re-
veals himself 10 the hour of defeat without one
thread of courage in the warp Of his character.
but filled with physical fear, whining at the feet
OF his betrayed country-pleadng, through the
ministry Of q wife, before the countrys friend
his want Of liberty and his fear Of death. Why
might we not have been allowed the poor COM
fort OF seeing ia his moral turpituje. at least,
brute courage to receive in silence the
righteous vengeance of his country Unable to
preserve the negative virtue of silence through
which ne IS permitted to crawl by means of a ma
tion's mistaken clemeucy, he must tear away the
drapery of forgetfulnsss from . career OF shame.
ANY reference Of his to Christian knighthood
strikes one decidedly off color" Even amid
the laxity of morals peculiar to age of 'cru-
sades. when soldiers of fortune lent their swords
promiscuously. the knight would have been
quickly unspurrsd who would dare take an oath
of fealty to his king and betray it. Such
unloyal act in that age would have been but q
veniai sin compared to the crimes OF this man
whose traitorism could not assume garb OF
false sincerity heavy enough TO drape 1t from
the public gaze while masqueradng as chief Of
native business in Matching conspiracy in the
camp of his friends-rebelling against rebellion.
Christian knight" indeed man upon
whom had been lavished every advantage OF
public patronage. educated to the service of the
state. and at its expense-pledging by an oath
of office his fealty to the governments, turns
49, " sd eli 4
No knightiy scruples seize him in the pursuit OF
this crime. No knightly instincts hedge him
about when, overriding every rule of Christian
warfare, in the sanction OK the murder OF that
fratricidal war and the slow torture OF unarmed
thousands within Southern prison pens-for, ex-
cuse 1t as we may, the fact vet remains that an
act, the stencil of which had reached our North
homes in spite of the vigilance Of an onemy's
battle lines. could not have failed TO reach the
executive ear, and stamps the rebel leader with
its guilty knowledge and the responsibility of its
permission.
When rebellion reached its legitimate finale
and its pitiful leader pulled up in petticoats.
scarcely subjected to a nominal confinement long
enough for the CHASTITY procession Of Anderson
ville's thirty thousand murdered heroes to pass
In review upon the walls of his fortress case
mate, before his whine was heard. through
womans mediation, at government gortals, in
fear OF prison life and in mortal dread Of death.
Depriving us Of the consolation of foreetfulness,
he would anon remind us of his infamy. Only
the absence of human instincts shield this
old mans night OF dotage from the stalking
ghosts of his earlier crimes and might pity
rather than despse his life not COM
PEELED to view them through a mist of blood
This may be termed vicious faunt of the
'bloody shirt" but why, in the name
of decency, should this miserable
exponent of an exploded crime maintain himself
before the public q standing challenge to out
ragged justices What comment on American
law that this remains at liberty. and tho
idol of half nation, while a poor savage APP
peals to arms in defense of his home and the
graves of his fathers. wagng war with a hero
ism worthy Of patriots cause according to the
rules of battle taught him bv his sres. and fail
ing, only lives to his people despoied OF their
homes he pays the penalty of his treason
with his life Let US forget the fate of Captain
Jack" before we publish our mercy to tho world
in the forgiveness of jefferson Davis.
This question takes n living issue when we
see a man of acknowledged ability defending the
acts and character of this arbitrator or the
floor of the American Senate, and receiving his
reward Of high Office therefor from the party in
power. ST..
RossToN, Ind, July 10.